Flexible Cushion Wrap

ABSTRACT

A flexible cushion wrap configured to at least partially surround an elongate member. The flexible cushion wrap can include a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface. The flexible cushion wrap can include at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel, and at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end. When the flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connector can attach to the at least one upper connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Design patent applicationSer. No. 29/458,025, filed Jun. 14, 2013, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flexible cushion wrap.

BACKGROUND

Wraps can be placed around an elongate member, such as a handle, toimprove grippability and user comfort. Wraps also have connectionmechanisms to help secure the wrap in place on the elongate member.Certain wraps are designed for specific applications and may not besuitable for wide variety elongate member shapes. For instance, a wrapdesigned for the handle of a small piece of luggage may not be suitablefor a handle of an infant carrier. When a wrap design for one specificapplication is used in manner that it was not designed for, the wrap maynot improve grippability and user comfort.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a flexible cushion wrapconfigured to at least partially surround an elongate member. Theflexible cushion wrap can include a flexible panel having a firsttapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along alongitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface.The flexible cushion wrap can include at least one upper connectorcarried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and thesecond end of the flexible panel, and at least one lower connectorcarried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end. Whenthe flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the elongate member, theflexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connectorcan attach to the at least one upper connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments of flexible cushion wrap of the presentdisclosure, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the precise schematics and arrangementsshown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a flexible cushion wrap disposed on thehandle of a load transport device, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a flexible cushion wrap disposed on thehandle of a load transport device, illustrating a user removing theflexible cushion wrap from the handle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIGS.1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the flexible cushion wrap taken along line6-6 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of flexible cushion wrap in a coiledconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a flexible cushion wrap 10 or simply“wrap” 10 is configured to wrap around an elongate member 4 or handle 4of a load transport device 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The wrap10 is configured such that a user can place the wrap 10 around thehandle 4 as shown in FIG. 1A, and can easily grab the wrap 10 to pullthe wrap 10 off the handle 4 as shown in FIG. 1B. The wrap 10 includesan attachment mechanism that allows a user to easily secure the wrap 10to the handle 4, while also allowing the user to easily remove the wrap10 from the handle 4 when needed (FIG. 1B). Further, the wrap 10 isflexible in multiple planes so that the wrap 10 can surround a widerange of handle designs and shapes, as will be further detailed below.In addition, because some load transport devices 2 can be difficult tograb and carry for a prolonged time, the wrap 10 can cushion the user'shand and/or arm during use. While the load transport device 2 isillustrated as an infant carrier system 3 with a support member 6 forholding an infant (not shown), the load transport device 2 can be anyobject with a handle connected to a support member 3. For instance, theload transport device 2 can be luggage, bags, carts, baskets. Further,an elongate member can be a rod or any other elongate structure orplurality of elongate structures. For instance, an elongate member canbe a chair armrest, bed rail, or sporting equipment. Accordingly, thewrap 10 is configured to cushion armrests for chairs, wheel chairs,and/or bed rails, and can partially encase sporting gear equipment, suchas skis, ski poles, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wrap 10 includes a panel 12 with a first taperedend 14 and a second end 16 spaced from the first tapered end 14 along alongitudinal direction L. The panel 12 also defines a longitudinalcentral axis 1 that extends through the first 14 and second ends 16 ofthe panel 12 and is aligned with the longitudinal direction L. First andsecond panel sides 18 and 20 extend from the second end 16 of the panel12 toward the first tapered end 14 along the longitudinal direction L.The opposed sides 18 and 20 are spaced apart along a lateral direction Athat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Thepanel 12 also includes an upper surface 30 and lower surface 32 opposedto the upper surface 30 spaced apart along the vertical direction V(FIG. 5). The vertical direction V is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal L and lateral A directions described above. The panel 12includes a tapered panel portion 22 and a base panel portion 24 spacedfrom the tapered panel portion 22 along the longitudinal direction L. Atleast a portion of the first and second panel sides 18 and 20 forinstance, the tapered side portion 19 a and tapered side portion 21 a,extend along respective first and second directions 26 and 28 that areangularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction L toward thefirst tapered end 14 so as to define the tapered panel portion 22. Thetapered side portion 19 a and tapered side portion 21 a can define anangle θ, wherein angle θ can be less than about 180°. The tapered sideportions 19 a and 21 a are shown extending linearly along directions 26and 28. It should be appreciated that the tapered side portions 19 a and21 a can be curvilinear. Side portions 19 b and 21 b that extend alongthe base panel portion 24 are parallel with respect to each other.

The panel 12 can have a length B (FIG. 2) defined as the dimension thatextends from the first tapered end 14 to the second end 16 along thelongitudinal direction L. The panel 12 has a width C that is defined asthe dimension that extends from the first side 18 to the second side 20at the base panel portion 24. The length B and width C can vary with thespecific end use. The length B can range between about 4.00 in (10.16cm) and about 30 in (76.2 cm) and the width C can range between about 3in. (7.62 cm) and about 20 in (50.8 cm). The relative size of the panel12 can be selected as needed for the application. For instance, for awrap 10 configured for an infant carrier system, the length B can rangeabout 6.00 in (15.24 cm) and about 15 in (38.1 cm), and the width C canrange between about 3 in. (7.62 cm) and about 12 in (30.48 cm). Forother end use applications, the length B. In the illustrated embodiment,the length B is about 8.5 in (21.59 cm) and the width C is about 11.5 in(29.21 cm). The size of each wrap is not limited to the specific sizesand dimensions described herein.

The panel 12 can be formed of one or more layers of a substrate. Forinstance, the panel can be formed of a single layer of a substrate ortwo layers of a substrate that are bound together. It should beappreciated that the panel can be formed of more than two layers of asubstrate. The substrate can be a textile fabric, polymeric film, or anopen or closed cell foam. The substrate can be selected to providecushioning properties to the flexible wrap 10. For instance, thesubstrates can be compressible through the thickness thereof so as toabsorb a load applied along a direction that is normal to alongitudinally extending plane of the substrate. The textile fabric canbe a woven fabric, knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. Further, one ormore textile fabrics can be combined with the polymer film and/or a foamlayer to define the panel 12. The textile fabric can be formed ofsynthetic textile fibers and yarns comprising polyester, nylon,polypropylene, elastomers (e.g., neoprene) and/or other polymerictextile fibers. Further, the textile fabric can be formed of naturalfibers and yarns comprising cotton, organic cotton, rayon, silk. Inalternative embodiments, the textile fabrics can be formed of blends ofthe synthetic and natural fibers. Further, a natural textile fabric mayform one layer of the substrate and a synthetic fiber-based textilefabric can form another layer of the substrate. In the illustratedembodiment, the panel 12 is formed of a knitted textile fabriccomprising neoprene fibers. The textile fabrics and/or yarns and fibersthat form the textile fabrics may include one or more coatings andfinishes. For instance, the textile fabrics can be treated with awicking agent that will improve moisture transport. The textile fabricscan also include antimicrobial agents.

The panel 12 includes a binding, or edge trim 42 that extends around aperimeter of the panel 12. The binding 42 can be used to minimizeunraveling and provide a clean edge for the panel 12 and can be formedof a textile material that is similar to the textile material used toform the panel 12 or the binding 42 can be a different material. Thebinding 12 is secured to panel 12 by stitching, adhesives, thermal orultrasonic welding mechanisms. The binding 12 can be a neoprenematerial, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the panel 12 maynot include a binding 42. For instance, the panel 12 can be formed ofmaterial that is configured to have a clean edge, for instance anonwoven material. The panel 12 can also include a pleat or dart to formcurved corners. The corners can be curved with respect to verticaldirection V.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the attachment mechanism according to anembodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one upperconnector carried by the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and at leastone lower connector carried by the lower surface 32 of the flexiblepanel 12. For instance, the upper connectors includes a first upperconnector 34 on the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and a second upperconnector 36 that is spaced from the first upper connector 34 along thelongitudinal direction L. The lower connectors can include a first lowerconnector 38 carried by the lower surface 32 of the panel 12 and asecond lower 40 spaced from the first lower connector 38 along thelongitudinal direction L. As used herein, the first upper connector maybe referred to as a first connector and the second upper connector maybe referred to as a third connector. Further, the first lower connectormay be referred to as the second connector and the second lowerconnector may be referred to as a fourth connector.

The arrangement of the upper and lower connectors can facilitatewrapping and securing the wrap 10 the elongate member 4. For instance,to attach the panel 12 to the elongate member (not shown) in a wrappedconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tapered panel portion 22 ofthe panel 12 overlies the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12 suchthat the respective connectors can be secured to each other.Accordingly, the upper connectors 34 and 36 are arranged on the uppersurface 30 of the panel 12 so as to mate with and attach to thecorresponding lower connectors arranged on the lower surface 32 of thepanel 12. For instance, when the flexible wrap is in the wrappedconfiguration shown in FIG. 7 (or positioned around the handle 4 asshown in FIG. 1A) at least one of the first and second lower connectors38 and 40 can attach to at least one of the first and second upperconnectors 34 and 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first upperconnector 34 is removably attached to the first lower connector 38 andthe second upper connector 36 is removably attached to the second lowerconnector 40.

Continuing with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the first upper connector 34 iscarried by the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12 and is disposedproximate the tapered panel portion 22. For instance, the first upperconnector 34 is spaced from the first tapered end 14, the second end 16,and the opposed sides 18 and 20 of the panel 12. Arranged on the panel12 in this manner, the first upper connector overlies the longitudinalcentral axis 1. The first upper connector 34 defines a base end 34 b anda tapered end 34 a that is spaced from the base end 34 b along thelongitudinal direction L toward the first tapered end 14. The taperedend 34 a has a smaller width (width being perpendicular to axis 1) thanthe width of the base end 34 b such that the first upper connectordefines a trapezoidal shape. Other shapes can be used, such as circular,square, rectangular, and triangular shapes. The first upper connector 34also defines a first lateral connector axis E1 that extends throughopposed sides (not shown) of the first upper connector 34 and issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. Theintersection of the longitudinal central axis A and the first lateralconnector axis E1 define a connector center F1.

The second upper connector 36 is carried by the base panel portion 24 ofthe panel 12. The second upper connector can be disposed adjacent to thesecond end 16 of the panel 12, for instance, adjacent to the binding 42that extends along the second end 16 of the panel 12. It should beappreciated that the second upper connector 36 need not be adjacent tothe second end 16 as illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond upper connector 36 extends from the first side portion 19 b tothe second side portion 21 b along the lateral direction A such that thesecond upper connector 36 overlies the longitudinal central axis 1. Thesecond upper connector 36 defines an elongated shape that extends alongthe lateral direction A. The second upper connector 36 has opposed ends36 a and 36 b spaced apart along the longitudinal direction L andopposed sides (not shown) spaced apart along the lateral direction A.While the second upper connector 36 is illustrated with an elongatedrectangular shape, the connector can have other shapes, such ascircular, square, rectangular, and triangular. Further, the second upperconnector 36 can include multiple connectors disposed on the base panelportion 24 of the panel 12. The second upper connector 36 defines asecond lateral connector axis E2 that extends through opposed sides (notshown) of the second upper connector 36 and is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The intersection ofthe longitudinal central axis A and the second lateral connector axis E2define a connector center F2.

The first lower connector 38 is disposed proximate to the first taperedend 14 and is carried by the tapered panel portion 22 of the panel 12.The first lower connector 38 also defines a base end 38 b and a taperedend 38 a that is spaced from the base end 38 b along the longitudinaldirection L. Further, the first lower connector 38 can extend from thefirst tapered side portion 19 a to the second tapered side portion 21 a.Thus, the first lower connector 38 can have a shape defined at leastpartially by the first tapered end 14 and the first and second taperedside portions 19 a and 21 a. The first upper connector 34 and the firstlower connector 38 can have similar shapes. The first lower connector 38defines a third lateral connector axis E3 that extends through opposedsides (not shown) of the first lower connector 38 and is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The first lowerconnector 38 is disposed on the lower surface 32 so as to overly thelongitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinalcentral axis 1 and the third lateral connector axis E3 define aconnector center F3.

The second lower connector 40 is spaced from the first lower connector38 and the second end 16 of the panel 12 along the longitudinaldirection L. For instance, the second lower connector 40 is carried bythe lower surface of the panel 12 at a location where the tapered panelportion 22 and the base panel portion 24 meet. It should be appreciatedthat the second lower connector 40 can be carried entirely by thetapered panel portion 22 or entirely by the base panel portion 24. Thesecond lower connector 40 can have opposed ends 40 a and 40 b spacedapart along the longitudinal direction L and opposed sides (not shown)spaced apart along the lateral direction A. Similar to the second upperconnector 36, the second lower connector 40 (FIG. 4) defines an elongateshape that also extends along the lateral direction A from the firstside 18 to the second side 20. The second lower connector 40 defines afourth lateral connector axis E4 that extends through opposed sides (notshown) of the second upper connector 40 and is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The second upperconnector 40 is disposed on the upper surface 30 so as to overly thelongitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinalcentral axis 1 and the fourth lateral connector axis E4 define aconnector center F4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first upper connector is spaced fromthe second upper connector a first distance D1, wherein the firstdistance D1 is the distance between the first and second lateralconnector axes E1 and E2. Further, the first lower connector 38 isspaced from the second lower connector 40 a second distance D2, whereinthe second distance D2 is the distance between the third and fourthlateral connector axes E3 and E4. In an embodiment the second distanceis less than or equal to the first distance D1. However, it should beappreciated that the second distance D2 can be greater than the firstdistance D1. The first distance D1 can range between about 2.0 in (5.08cm) and about 8.0 in (20.32 cm), and the second distance D2 can rangebetween about 2.0 in (5.08 cm) and about 8.0 in (20.32 cm). In theillustrated embodiment, first distance D1 is about 3.5 in (8.89 cm) andthe second distance D2 is about 4.0 in (10.16 cm).

The panel 12 is formed of a flexible material so that the panel 12 canflex or bend as needed to wrap around an elongate member. Referringagain to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the load transport device Z can definethree-dimensional Cartesian coordinates having a Y-axis or direction Y,X-axis or direction X and a Z-axis or direction Z. In the illustratedembodiment, the handle 4 includes an upper cross bar 5 and a pair ofsupport arms 7 a and 7 b. The upper cross bar 5 intersect the supportarms 7 a and 7 b and corner sections 8 a and 8 b respectively. Thehandle 4 can be curved with respect to direction X. In addition, thesupport arms 7 a and 7 b can be curved with respect to direction Y. Thecorners 8 a and 8 b can be curved with respect to the direction Y anddirection X. The flexible wrap 10 is configured such that the wrap canbe secured to any portion of the handle 4 regardless of the curvaturesof the handle. The panel 12 is extendable along the longitudinaldirection L, as well as any number of directions that are angularlyoffset with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, whenthe wrap 10 is disposed around the corner 8 b as shown, the firsttapered end 14 can be oriented along a direction that is angularlyoffset with respect to the length of the panel 12. Further, the firstand second lower connectors 38 and 40 have a size, shape, and positionso that lower connectors 38 and 40 overly at least a portion of therespective first and second upper connectors 34 and 36 regardless offlexing required to accommodate a handle 4 with complex curvatures, forinstance with two or more directions of curvature. For instance, theflexible wrap 10 is configured so that the first lower connector 38 canbe removably attached to the first upper connector 34 when the firsttapered end 14 is oriented along a direction (not shown) that is offsetwith respect to the longitudinal direction L.

Each connector 34, 36, 38, and 40 can be a hook and loop panel. In theillustrated embodiment, the first upper connector 34 is a hook-typepanel and the first lower connector is a loop-type panel that isconfigured to receive and attach to the hook-type panel of the firstupper connector 34. Accordingly, the second upper connector 36 is ahook-type panel and the second lower connector 40 is a loop-type panelthat is configured to receive and attach to the hook-type panel of thesecond upper connector 36. While hook and loop panels are illustrated,other types of connectors can be used. For instance, the connector canbe snap fasteners, claps, clips, rivets, or any other structure ordevice that can connect two objects together. Further, the substrate canbe configured to define the connectors. For instance, the substrate canbe a textile fabric with a plurality of hook structures formed thereonthat define one or more of the connectors on the upper surface 30 of thepanel 12 described above. The corresponding connector on the lowersurface 32 of the panel 12 can include a plurality of loop structuresthat are configured to attach to the plurality of the hook structures.In alternative embodiments, the attachment mechanism can include anycombination of the connectors as described herein and/or pressuresensitive adhesives.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method forapplying a cushion wrap to an elongate member. The method can includepositioning a flexible wrap as described herein to surround the elongatemember. For instance, the wrap 10 can be coiled around the elongatemember such that the first lower connector 38 is removably attached tothe first upper connector 34. Further, the wrap 10 can be coiled aroundthe elongate member such the second lower connector 40 is removablyattached to the second upper connector 36. The wrap 10 is reversible.Thus, it should be appreciated that while the wrap 10 is configured towrap around the handle 4 of the load transport device 2 such that theupper surface 30 faces outwardly from the handle 4 as shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B, the wrap 10 can be placed on the handle 4 such that the lowersurface 32 of the wrap 10 faces outwardly from the handle 4. INaddition, one or more wrap 10 can be placed on the elongate member orhandle 4 as needed. Further, the wrap 10 can be placed on any portion ofthe handle 4 as needed.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method formanufacturing the wrap 10 described above. The method can includeforming one or more substrates. Forming substrates can include, forinstance, weaving a textile fabric, knitting a textile fabric, forming anonwoven fabric, forming a polymeric film, and/or forming a foam. Theforming step can include combining one or more substrates to form anassembly or laminate of layered substrates. The method can also includeshaping, subsequent to the forming step, the substrates into a shapethat defines the panel 12, or alternatively, into a shape for subsequentassembly. The shaping step can include cutting the one or moresubstrates into the shape of the panel 12 as described above, e.g. suchthat panel 12 includes the first tapered end 14 and the second end 16.Shaping can alternatively include folding a portion of the substrate toinclude one or more folds or darts to allow the substrate to be formedinto a panel 12 with curved corners as discussed above. Further, theshaping step can include cutting the substrate with a cutting machine ordevice having a cutting blade or laser, or any other device or processfor defining a shape of a material. In an alternative embodiment, forinstance for textile materials, the forming step can include fabricformation and shaping using a single piece knitting machine. The methodcan also include the step attaching at least one upper connector, suchas a hook and loop panel, to the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 at alocation between an opposed first la and second lb ends thereof. Themethod can further include attaching at least one lower connector, suchas a hook and loop panel, to the lower surface 32 of the panel 12 andadjacent to the first tapered end 14 such that the at least one lowerconnector is carried by the tapered panel portion 22. It should beappreciated that the method can also include attaching a pair of spacedapart connectors to the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and attaching apair of spaced apart connectors to the lower surface 32 of the panel 12.The step of attaching the connectors to the panel 12 can includestitching the connectors to the panel 12, bonding the connectors to thepanel 12 and/or sealing the connectors to the panel 12 (e.g. ultrasonicand/or heat sealing).

Although the disclosure has been described in detail, it should beunderstood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can bemade herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate from the processes, machines, manufacture,composition of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein that may be utilized according to the presentdisclosure

What is claimed:
 1. A flexible cushion wrap configured to at least partially surround a handle of a load transport device, the flexible wrap comprising: a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface; at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel; and at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end; wherein when flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the handle the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connector can attach to the at least one upper connector.
 2. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel has a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the first and second sides extend along respective first and second directions that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction toward the first tapered end so as to define a tapered panel portion.
 3. The flexible wrap of claim 2, wherein the at least one lower connector is a first lower connector that is carried by the tapered panel portion, and the flexible panel includes and a second lower connector, the second lower connector being spaced from the first lower connector and the second end of the panel along the longitudinal direction.
 4. The flexible wrap of claim 3, wherein the at least one upper connector is a first upper connector, and the flexible panel includes and a second upper connector, the second upper connector being spaced from the first upper connector and adjacent to the second end of the flexible panel.
 5. The flexible wrap of claim 4, wherein when the flexible wrap is positioned on the handle, the first upper connector is removably secured to the first lower connector and the second upper connector is removably secured to the second lower connector.
 6. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel is formed of one or more layers of a cushioning substrate.
 7. The flexible wrap of claim 6, wherein the cushioning substrate is a textile fabric.
 8. The flexible wrap of claim 7, wherein the textile fabric is formed at least partially of neoprene fibers.
 9. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one lower connector and the at least one upper connector each include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.
 10. A flexible wrap configured to at least partially surround an elongate member, the flexible wrap comprising: a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along the longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface; a first upper connector carried by the upper surface of the flexible panel; a second upper connector carried by the upper surface of the flexible panel, the second upper connector being spaced from the first upper connector and adjacent to the second end of the flexible panel; a first lower connector carried by the lower surface of the flexible panel; a second lower connector spaced from the first lower connector and the second end of the panel along the longitudinal direction, wherein when flexible wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one of the first and second lower connectors can attach to at least one of the first and second upper connectors.
 11. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein when the flexible wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the first upper connector is removably attached to the first lower connector and the second upper connector is removably attached to the second lower connector.
 12. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein the flexible panel has a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the first and second sides extend along respective first and second directions that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction toward the first tapered end.
 13. The flexible wrap of claim 12, wherein the at least a portion of the first and second sides converge toward a longitudinal central axis that is aligned with the longitudinal direction, and extends through the first tapered end, the longitudinal central axis being equidistant from the first and second sides.
 14. The flexible wrap of claim 13, wherein the flexible wrap is configured the first lower connector can be removably attached to the first upper connector when the first tapered end is oriented along a direction that is offset with respect to the longitudinal direction.
 15. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the first and second lower connectors include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.
 16. The flexible wrap of claim 14, wherein the at least one of the first and upper lower connectors include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.
 17. A method for manufacturing a flexible wrap, the method comprising the steps of forming a flexible panel to have a first tapered end and second end that is spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, the flexible panel having a upper surface and an opposed lower surface; attaching a first connector to an upper surface at a location space apart from the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel; attaching a second connector to a lower surface of the flexible panel and adjacent to the first end such that the second fastener is carried by the tapered portion;
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of attaching a third connector to the upper surface of the flexible panel adjacent the second end of the panel; and attaching a fourth connector to the lower surface of the flexible panel at a location that is spaced from the second connector and the second end of the flexible panel.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of shaping the flexible panel such that the first tapered end define a tapered portion, and the second connector is carried by the tapered portion.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of shaping the flexible panel comprises the step of cutting one or more layers of a textile fabric so as to form a flexible panel with the tapered portion.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the steps of attaching the first and second connector comprise at least one of the following steps: stitching the connector to the flexible panel; bonding the connector to the flexible panel; and sealing the connector to the flexible panel. 